DR. ALEX GUTTMAN

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DR. ALEX GUTTMAN Dr. Alex Guttman passed away peacefully on July 4, 2001 at the Sharon Home Simkin Centre. He had celebrated his 100th birthday on January 23, 2001 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Glasgow Scotland and came to Canada at the age of eight with his parents Bluma and Simon Guttman; his sister Sarah; and his brothers, Henry and Issie. He attended medical school in Winnipeg, where he graduated in 1928. He practised medicine in a difficult era when house calls were often made on foot. He dedicated his life to healing people, often foregoing fees when patients could not afford to pay him. He was a pioneer of a number of organizations in Winnipeg. Most notably, he was a founder of the Mount Carmel Clinic and the Victoria General Hospital. He was also a past master of the Mt. Sinai Masonic Lodge. He married his wife, Janette on August 24, 1941. Several years later he left with Janette and their young daughter, Tannis, for Edinburgh, Scotland, to do his fellowship in orthopaedic surgery. On his return to Winnipeg he came to be one of Winnipegs leading orthopaedic surgeons. He was elected president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1962. Throughout his life he demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities. At the age of 97, he was given a standing ovation for the speech that he gave at his granddaughters wedding. That same year, he gave a lecture on life in early 20th century Winnipeg to a university class. He also provided the family with a detailed family tree and described not only his childhood in Scotland, but also the familys voyage to Canada and their life as early immigrants. He danced with Janette on his 98th birthday. Alex and Janette would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August of this year. Alex Guttman lived his personal life according to the same values that he practised in his profession: integrity, strength, remarkable courage, and determination. He continues to serve as a role model for his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Janette; his daughter and son-in law Tannis and Marshall Peikoff; his grandchildren, Elana Peikoff and Heather and John Diamond; and his great-grandson Benjamin Fletcher Diamond. He was a devoted son, a loving and doting husband and a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held on July 5, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. A moving eulogy was given by his wife, Janette. Pallbearers were John Diamond, Manly Levin, Gerald Libling, Bob Rae, Steven Rosenberg and Jack Rusen. Honorary pallbearers were Ed Boldt, Gwen Goldberg, Saul Guttman, and Lori Wallace. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Simkin Centre and to Dr. Jack Rusen for his care and support.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 21, 2001